Iloilo City earns Php 30 Million in ICT Industry

It was reported that Iloilo City is enjoying Php 30 Million monthly income from the ICT Industry. Outsourcing companies and software developers also provide 3,000 jobs for Ilonggos.
I know somebody who is currently employed by the call center operating in Iloilo City. The outsourcing industry maybe at risk once Barack Obama takes office. One of Obama’s economic programs is to bring back the jobs to the states.

Secularism and Dureza’s Prayer

PGMAs critics were paranoid by Dureza’s prayer. There’s nothing wrong with that prayer except for the fact that he pray out loud and the media / opposition do not approve of its content.

The violent reaction to Secretary Dureza’s prayer is a sign that now is the time right for the Charter Change. Charter Change should solve this prayer fiasco. A clear cut guideline should be imposed in the Constitution that should declare our country as a secular state. In a secular state, prayers are not anymore allowed in public institutions. Secularism works well in Turkey and there’s no doubt that it will work in the Philippines. It would also stop the hypocrite CBCP, Priest and Catholic Church in meddling with the affairs of the state. A strict penalty should be imposed for those who violate the secularism. Secularism is the only way forward.

Rice lauds PGMA

The Philippines had been a rubberstamp (they use the term ally as euphemism) to American diplomacy. We can never blame our leaders since we need America’s military aid. Condoleezza Rice will step down as the US Secretary of State this January. The recently concluded APEC summit is Bush and Rice’s last. Rice told PGMA in a bilateral meeting that she’s America’s best friend. PGMA for her part thank the US for the military aid that they give to our country.

It’s irritating to hear fake pleasantries but so be it. Filipinos has this tendency of being grateful for all the things they received for free. What they never realize is that for America, nothing is for free.

Bush will leave the oval office but I don’t see any drastic or 360 degree change in American foreign policy. The only thing we expect is the enthronement of Hillary Clinton at the US State Department. I am hoping that she’d make a very big difference.

Villar Ousted as Senate President

Manuel Villar was ousted as Senate President because of his involvement in the C5 Extension Project double insertion scam in the 2009 budget. Juan Ponce Enrile was named new Senate President. The senate also reorganizes forming a new majority. The opposition finally succeeded in removing him from his post after three attempts. Senator Jamby Madrigal was quoted as saying that Villar’s downfall was a result of ‘Sipag at Tiyaga’ or ‘C5 at Tiyaga’.

Presidentiables in the senate opted to remove Villar in order to make sure that he will not use the senate resources in his campaign for 2010. Villar will not be affected by his removal in the office as he has the money to fund the campaign. What I am not sure though, is if he can muster enough support from the public to win the election. I still believe that Noli de Castro is the guy to beat in 2010.

PGMA snubbed by Obama

Anti PGMA celebrated when they learned that she was snubbed by US President-elect Barack Obama. They cheered and mocked PGMA. A major broadsheet (It’s actually a tabloid pretending to be a broadsheet) even runs an editorial suggesting that Obama ignored her because she’s corrupt.

As courtesy protocol, a world leader like PGMA must send out congratulatory filler for all the newly elected Presidents / Prime Ministers or newly crowned monarchs. It’s sad that the symbolic call was snubbed. PGMA should never initiate a call again. She already made the gesture and that’s the end of it.

Obama’s snobbery only means one thing and I’m right all along. Third World countries do not matter to him. His election as the new President in the United States doesn’t mean 360 degrees turn in their foreign policy. Obama could have used PGMAs call in order to assure her that he will restore US goodwill among nations. This is where Obama and Hillary Clinton differ. Hillary Clinton has an impressive resume in foreign policy. Unfortunately, the Democrats choose to ignore it.

Annulment Issues in the Philippines

The Office of the Solicitor General said that couples usage of ‘Psychological Incapacity’ as the basis of filing for annulment is at an alarming rate. I don’t blame couples if they file for annulment. The Philippines doesn’t have a divorce law and annulment is the only way to get out of the marriage that wasn’t meant to be in the first place. The government should be concerned about the rising annulment rate and must listen to the ever changing needs of its people. In this ever changing society, divorce should be embraced. Divorce is not bad as bad what the church is trying to project. It protects women and children from marital abuses. It would also mean that couples whose relationship could not work out can find other partners. Let’s hope that our elected legislators would come up with a divorce law and must not buckle down from the pressures of the hypocritical CBCP.

Russians in Bora

DOT Western Visayas reported that they are expecting 1500 Russian tourist arrival next month. Russians will stay in Bora to avoid the freezing winter in Russia. Russians are thought to be big spenders and stays longer than other tourists. Average Russians would stay in Bora for 10-15 days. Russia has a strong economy and is not affected by the Global credit crunch. There maybe a slowdown but it’s unlikely that they will go into recession.

DOT should encourage Russians to stay longer since the Ati Ati Festival in Kalibu and Dinagyang in Iloilo falls in the Third and Fourth Sundays of January. Russians should be able to experience the festival first hand. Word of mouth advertising is more effective than spending on Ads that is not likely to reach the targeted market.

Lindsay Lohan admits being in a Lesbian Relationship

Finally, a high profile celebrity like Lindsay Lohan admitted to the public that she’s having an affair with a lesbian named DJ Samatha Robson. I admire her because she has the guts to divulge her private life. She risked her career and image by admitting to the public.

It shouldn’t be an issue whether a person likes a guy or a girl as long as he is comfortable with it. Homosexuality issue is still taboo in our society. Let’s just hope that our people will mature and learn to be tolerant.

Mahogany Trees Uprooted in Dumangas

Public Officials should be the protectors of the environment. That’s not true in Dumangas as the Municipal Mayor Ronaldo Golez was pointed out as the ring leader in the uprooting of trees in ISCOF campus. We always hear news about government official abuses that we become immune to their evil deeds. We’re not anymore surprised on what the greedy politicians can do. Sadly, those trees were planted by ISCOF Class of1952. It took 56 years for that tree to grow only to be uprooted by the corrupt mayor of Dumangas. The DENR and the Office of the Ombudsman should investigate the matter and jail the abusive that abusive mayor.

Supreme Court Vacancies in 2009

PGMA will be appointing new Justices of the Supreme Court in 2009 to fill up the vacancies for the retiring Justices Ruben Reyes, Adolfo Azcuna, Dante Tinga, Consuelo Yñares-Santiago, Leo Quisumbing, Minita Chico-Nazario and Alicia Martinez. By 2009, only Chief Justice Renato Puno will remain the only justice not appointed by PGMA.

The opposition and the so called ‘civil society’ are now questioning PGMAs choices. Well, they can shout and protest all they want but the reality is, PGMA has the appointing power. Whatever her choices are will be placed in the highest court of the land.
The Philippine constitution provides for the process of selecting justices for the Supreme Court. It starts with the screening of each applicant until they’re short listed to five. The Judicial Bar Council will select three to be presented to the President. The president will then select one out of the three nominees.

The selection of new sets of Justices should be above politics. The appointment is very crucial since it will affect the lives of the Filipino people. We all know that PGMA, given her sincerity and work ethics will only put people who are competent and with unquestionable integrity and credibility. Let’s support PGMA on whoever she appoints in the Supreme Court.

Luli got married

Yeah, well Luli the first daughter got married to a former investment banker named Luigi Bernas. There’s no fanfare, no hype, just a solemn wedding, the way Luli wanted it. Luli has chosen to play low key during the presidency of her mother. She topped the Foreign Service examination years ago but chooses not to pursue a diplomatic career because of her mother’s position.

The media wanted to get a glimpse of the ceremony but were barred from entering the venue in Tagaytay. Earlier, RG Cruz of ABS CBN News received a note from Luli saying that she’d rather talk about her involvement in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and her charitable works rather than herself.

Best wishes to Luli and her Congratulations to her new husband. Her parents are certainly proud of her.

Psychological Testing for the would be priests

The Vatican issued a document entitled “Guidelines for the use of Psychology in the admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood”. The document outlines the psychological evaluation formation centers may use in screening candidates from homosexual tendencies and psychological disorders. The document promises early detection of psychological disorders that helps eliminate the possibility of future clergy abuse.

Homosexuality has been pinpointed as the culprit of scandals that rock the Universal Church worldwide. A documented report says that 80-90% of abusive priests have maintained sexual relationships with adolescent boys.

It is sad that CBCB is more concerned about the politics and their personal agendas. They CBCP became a good example of hypocrisy because they choose to overlook the sexual abuses of their priests. They are only good in condemning the politicians when they themselves are sinners. CBCP should be more concerned of the spiritual needs of their religious flock. We should not wonder why people are leaving the church. They wanted enlightenment but are only disappointed every time they hear a mass because the priest are politicking.

Inday Miriam lost her ICJ bid

The Philippine team tried but trying is never enough in the World Politics. Miriam loses her bid to sit at ICJ. Ilonggos are still proud of her because she put up a good fight. Miriam said that she’s destined to be in the country. When she lost the 2001 Senatorial election, the Senate was never the same for three years. That’s why people put her back in the office. I love Miriam’s intellect, her speeches, anecdotes, highfalutin words, and pang ookray! She’s brilliant and amazing but most of all human. Who would ever think that the fiery Ilongga would be seen in national TV crying when she lost her son?

Bali Bombers Executed

Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imran Samudra were executed by firing squad in an orange grove near Nusakambangan Island Prison, South of Java. The three were members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a terror group loosely linked to Al Qaeda and masterminds of the 2002 Bali bombing which killed 160 foreign tourist and 38 Indonesians. They were sentenced in 2003 but legal battles postponed their execution.

The terrorist express no remorse while they were being executed. For them, execution means martyrdom. The execution of the terrorists sent mixed emotions throughout the world.

I Won!

I won! I won! Finally after years of betting in the Thai lottery I was lucky enough to win in the rumble. The number that came out was 028 and my number was 208. I took that number from the extension number of our newly hired HR Manager.

Survey Says

Social Weather Station, says that 3 out of 4 Filipinos don’t care who wins the US election. SWS wasted their time and effort in conducting this kind of survey. What an ordinary Filipino care most is putting food on his table. Wala nga silang pakialam kung sinong nananalo sa Pilipinas, sa Amerika pa kaya? The 2008 US Election will change nothing. The US will not change their foreign policies drastically with the change of leadership. They will only promote their own interest, as always.

America Votes

America, the land that believes that they are ‘God’s gift to mankind’ is going to vote for their next president. John McCain, the maverick senator from AZ is trailing behind Barack Obama in the polls. I’ve since lost interest in the American polls since Hillary Rodham Clinton lost the Democratic Primaries. I’m still heartbroken and devastated. It would take years before my bitterness will ease out.

I don’t like Obama so I’m hoping that John McCain wins. If Obama loses, Hillary’s status in the Democratic Party will be cemented. She will be DNCs presidential nominee on 2012.